A blog by Steve Malchow

Day: September 26, 2013

Post navigation

Iowa State, Colorado and Navy are the only Division 1A football teams that have played just two games. So, it’s not surprising the Cyclones have the fewest rush attempts (68) nationally.

One of the pressing topics at Paul Rhoads’ news conferences has been the split of carries between his five tailbacks and QB Sam Richardson.

No school in the nation has more evenly split its tailback carries to this point than the Cyclones. James White, Shontrelle Johnson and Aaron Wimberly have 12, 11 and 10 attempts respectively.

Some people have pushed the concept of “playing the hot hand” in regards to rush attempts.

“We haven’t gotten a hand, foot or elbow hot yet,” Rhoads said Monday. “We haven’t been able to put that philosophy into play.”

Missouri has tailbacks with 34, 31 and 25 carries. Mississippi State has split their RB attempts 29, 29 and 21. Those are the most balanced splits for carries – outside of the Cyclones – at the running back position.

Interestingly, the QBs at Missouri and Mississippi State lead their teams in carries. That’s just like the Cyclones.

Rhoads and his offensive staff believe the QB run game is integral to their offense. Seventeen FBS schools have quarterbacks currently leading their team in rushing attempts.

It doesn’t matter to Rhoads how the Cyclones’ run game get gets ignited or who sparks it. He’s simply anxious for the hot hand to emerge.

“I’ll let you know when somebody warms up a little bit,” Rhoads said.

You won’t need to tell us, coach. We’ll just check who’s getting most of the carries.